Primary schools back sooner than expected?

[deeplybaffled]

It’s hard to know what to believe, but PHE now seem to be suggesting that primary schools can safely return after half term - which seems to contradict all other recent reports and government comments
focussing around Easter!

@3littlewords And just as most parents aren't qualified teachers, neither are (most) TA's.

@Musicaldilemma Would a nurse be expected to take on the role of surgeon?

@3littlewords

I wouldn't want my child being taught by an unqualified teacher

Theres millions of children being taught right now by unqualified teachers- their parents!

there's millions of children being taught by 'unqualified teachers' usually in the classroom too, way before this pandemic started.

@marshobradyo- not private but state primary but the type that is listed as top 200. Teachers in school teaching remotely from there and TAs on site too, mainly. Breakout rooms remotely as well. Keyworker and vulnerable kids (largely Sen) getting plenty of attention. If they are given funding for tents they could open safely quickly. Grounds and staff no problem. In June, TAs were teaching half of reception, year 1 and year 6 so teachers in other year groups could focus on their pupils. They have been adamant from the start that every child needs to be treated equally.

I line manage TAs.
Previously, at our school, we had TAs who were unqualified, often mums who wanted a job to fit in with their own DCs school hours. Some were good, some very poor.
For the last few years, we have only appointed graduate TAs. The flip side of this is that they do a year, then go off to become teachers. The TA role is perfect for this as a starting point. The good side is that the TAs are far more effective at supporting the students, as they often have a degree in the faculty they are placed in. The gripe I have, is that these TAs are paid a pittance, and are currently running classes in school, often in at least 3 full days a week, with far too many students in school. The teachers are doing an hour a week on the rota, the TAs 18 hours a week. Yes, the teachers are working from home, doing live lessons etc., but it's the TAs in at the deep end - with the students - in a pandemic, taking the risks. And their salary in no way reflects this.

@Thatwentbadly I agree with you there. One of the reasons I was out of work for a considerable period of time was that when my contract ended with one school I couldn't find work. I applied for many jobs and was really confused at first why I wasn't being shortlisted. I'm a teacher of 20 years experience with a SEN specialism and ability to teach both key stages.
The answer is I'm too expensive when TA's can be used to "teach" for close to minimum wage. I don't blame the heads for not shortlisting me.

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@3littlewords And just as most parents aren't qualified teachers, neither are (most) TA's.[/quote]
I wasn't offering an opinion either way just stating a point

@Monkeytennis97 Absolutely agree. Don't parents know this? See my previous post.

@SophieB100 TA's work incredibly hard and I agree that they've been "dumped in it." A pay rise was long overdue. And now they are expected to "teach" which is totally unreasonable.

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@Musicaldilemma Would a nurse be expected to take on the role of surgeon?[/quote]
Well currently parents are teaching their children (whilst themselves working from home), so I wonder whether in this hypothetical comparison if that's the equivalent of a porter doing the role of the surgeon?

@SophieB100

I line manage TAs. Previously, at our school, we had TAs who were unqualified, often mums who wanted a job to fit in with their own DCs school hours. Some were good, some very poor. For the last few years, we have only appointed graduate TAs. The flip side of this is that they do a year, then go off to become teachers. The TA role is perfect for this as a starting point. The good side is that the TAs are far more effective at supporting the students, as they often have a degree in the faculty they are placed in. The gripe I have, is that these TAs are paid a pittance, and are currently running classes in school, often in at least 3 full days a week, with far too many students in school. The teachers are doing an hour a week on the rota, the TAs 18 hours a week. Yes, the teachers are working from home, doing live lessons etc., but it's the TAs in at the deep end - with the students - in a pandemic, taking the risks. And their salary in no way reflects this.

Yes what is being asked already is a lot.

Thankfully school keeps bubbles to six. But it’s tough on TAs where they are large

Re unqualified teachers points below what proportion would you say in state v private?

That last question more to Nickname trying to save an extra post which was pointless in end as adding this one

[quote Musicaldilemma]@marshobradyo- not private but state primary but the type that is listed as top 200. Teachers in school teaching remotely from there and TAs on site too, mainly. Breakout rooms remotely as well. Keyworker and vulnerable kids (largely Sen) getting plenty of attention. If they are given funding for tents they could open safely quickly. Grounds and staff no problem. In June, TAs were teaching half of reception, year 1 and year 6 so teachers in other year groups could focus on their pupils. They have been adamant from the start that every child needs to be treated equally.[/quote]
That is pretty good I must say.

Our primary is great nothing bad to say, but we lack space. Even outside

Our bubbles are quite small - no more than 8 per class (high school). The trouble is, our TAs are crossing bubbles - one of mine is working with 7s, 8s and 10s over the course of her 3 days in school. Others are doing the same. Just a question of time until it all goes wrong. They are having twice weekly tests in school - the students are offered them too - but we have less than half taking them up (no parental consent).
One of mine emailed me yesterday, to say she'd had a good day, apart from feeling like she's constantly playing Russian Roulette. It's awful.

@MarshaBradyo No idea as I have no experience of working in private schools (through choice). I can only comment on state primaries. Severe budget cuts to state education, way before this pandemic, have given Heads no choice but to use unqualified/newly qualified teachers or TA's within the classroom.
I

@Trumplosttheelection

Kids need education. It's going to be time to suck it up. They will vaccinate who they can and rely on the normal improvement in hospital admissions that comes with spring. However any nhs bid would tell them that happens April onwards, not in March so March will probably be a rocky month but still.

I agree. Time to prioritise the young for once in this hideous pandemic. They really are the lost generation that have been fucked over royally in all this.

I don't think a Big Bang though - roots, really small bubbles etc etc. Some actual...thinking...maybe..? Boris? Gavla?

roots = rotas.

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@lavenderlou I'm a teacher of 20 years' experience currently working as an HLTA because teaching was impossible with three of my own kids and working every evening and weekends.
I love it although the pay is around a quarter of what I would earn as a teacher. A good TA is worth their weight in gold in the classroom.
To be a teacher you have to have a degree and at least one year of postgrad study. You can't just "be a teacher"!
And do you honestly expect a TA to "teach" and take on the role as a teacher on near to minimum wage? Personally I find that a little insulting, both to TA's and teachers.[/quote]
@Nicknamegoeshere I think you got me confused with the poster that I was quoting. That was exactly my point - I said in my post that it isn't the TA's jobs to teach. Nor should it be expected to be for their pay. I was quoting an earlier poster who said TAs should be teaching and disagreeing with their point!

[quote Musicaldilemma]@lavenderlou- create special spaces in any available space. You can even divide Halls etc. Having warm lunch at school should not be a priority. With creativity and some funding and good planning, it can all be done. Our TAs are doing a great job - teacher does the planning, TAs deliver, was done last June in many cases for the years back already.[/quote]
I think you have a misconception of what all primary school buildings look like.

We have 7 classes and 7 classrooms. Our only shared space in the entire school is the hallm which is not very big. We could have half of one class in there. There is no other space! Our library is in a corner of the entrance area. We don't have any spare classrooms at all - even interventions are done in a small patch of the corridor. There is no possible way that we can split every class in half and have the space to fit them all in.

@lavenderlou - how many children does your lunch hall accommodate normally at one time? Stud walls can be put up quickly with the right will. Sinks in the playground etc- other countries are doing it. Swap tent learning and classroom learning etc. on a daily basis. Interim structures on playgrounds etc etc - with a bit of money many schools can create innovative safe spaces.

I agree it’s more challenging to find the space in some schools than others but no reason just not to try in some schools.
What about empty community buildings? I’m guessing an insurance nightmare but it’s so frustrating.

I can’t remember which poster said tents/marquees wouldn’t work for teenagers. They did in my DS1 secondary school all through autumn. Mixture of indoor and outdoor learning.

Also in my dentist I saw a HEPA air filter. I think these have been used in German schools.

I know this is a money issue. I just wish the government would plough some money in to schools. They say education is a priority but don’t spend any money on it. Apart from some laptops...

8th March for return.

@Peppafrig

8th March for return.

Where did you get that date from?

Bojo is saying it. Might be staggered though. Hopefully they can make it possible and as safe as possible